MP hits out over asylum seekers' treatment

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to express concern about the Home Office’s handling of the cases of asylum seekers who have been tortured.

Ms Jones (pictured), who met recently with members of Llangollen Refugee Support Network, expressed particular reservations about how survivors of torture are sometimes turned away on "specious grounds".

The MP referred to a report authored by the organisation Freedom from Torture that documented how asylum caseworkers without any clinical qualifications often replace the expert opinion of a medical doctor with their own speculation about clinical matters.

She said: "The current set-up contravenes a clear Home Office policy on how to handle expert medical evidence of torture.

"Too many Home Office decisions with medical evidence of torture are poor and have to be corrected by judges. This is wrong in principle and it is also wrong in that it is a waste of taxpayers' money." 

Ms Jones also expressed her opposition to an Official State Visit to the UK by new US President Donald Trump until his "discriminatory travel ban" has come to an end. 

Indian theme for fundraiser

Another successful year for Tidy Town Team

* Members of the team at work outside the museum a couple of years ago.

Co-ordinator David Davies has given an account of Llangollen's Tidy Town Team's latest successful year in the organisation's 2016 annual report.

Our  eleventh year of operation.

With a couple of retirees replaced by new additions, the team continues to maintain a membership of 20 people.

Litter clearing continues on Dinas Bran Castle Hill, roadside and around the “Hawthorn” sculpture, along the Panorama and around the School and Wharf area, but litter is much reduced (except around the school) compared to a few years ago.

Highlights of the year have included our second year of the “Cemetery Woodlands” project. This has involved continuing to open up the area which subsequently revealed the appearance of a mass of spring flowers. This was especially appreciated from the opposite side of the river along “Victoria Promenade”.
  
We have also planted over 1,200 daffodil bulbs on the canal wharf bank and the roadside by the Medical Centre.

In Plas Newydd we have assisted the Head Gardener with the task of giving more light to the Cyflymen by clearing laurel growth from the steep riverside bank.  We all now know how sheep feel walking on hill sides.

The Town Christmas Festival saw us in action as usual erecting stalls and parade support duties, with the task of erecting the Christmas Tree somewhat easier this year with the new “high- tech” version around the flag pole. 

A big thank you to all our supporters during the year including: Llangollen Town Council,  Denbighshire CC,  Keep Wales Tidy,  Horse Drawn Boats,  K&C Construction and the estate of Tom Edwards.

Finally, thank you to the members of the team for another 600 hours of voluntary (same pay as when we started) work during the year.

Parish's Snowdrop Service

County's response over travellers agreed

Members of Denbighshire’s Cabinet have agreed a formal response to the Welsh Government on the assessment of accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers.

All local authorities have been required to undertake an up to date assessment by the end of February of the needs of gypsies and travellers and to address any identified need.

Denbighshire County Council’s own assessment recognises the need for a six-pitch permanent residential Gypsy and Traveller site in the county, as well as a transit site for 4-5 pitches to provide accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers travelling through the county.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Cabinet Lead Member for Communities, said: “We fully recognise the need and duty to review accommodation issues for gypsies and travellers.

“Historically we have seen unlawful encampments on Council and private land, predominantly in the north of the county and the position will continue if we don’t take a proactive approach to managing the accommodation  needs of gypsies and travellers.

“Resolving unlawful encampments will inevitably result in costs for the Council, and providing facilities for residential and transit accommodation would certainly help address this issue.

“We will now submit our formal response to Welsh Government and await the outcome."

School transport policy due for discussion

A revised version of the Home to School Transport Policy for pupils across Denbighshire looks set to be discussed next month.

The current policy came into force from September 2015, after agreement by council in 2014, with a review of the policy planned after 12 months of operation.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “The council recognises that there were pockets of concern regarding certain elements of the current policy and we have addressed these concerns as and when they have arisen. 

"The council agreed when it implemented the policy that it would be reviewed after one year of operating.  That review has now taken place and has taken into consideration feedback from schools, parents, councillors and advice through legal discussions.

“The current policy states that home to school transport will be provided to the nearest suitable school.  Some concern has been raised in some communities about this issue, and it is now being proposed that school transport to secondary schools will be based on nearest suitable school or whether the pupil attended a designated primary feeder school. Transport on the basis of feeder will be provided under discretionary arrangements.

“Clarity is also proposed relating to pick up points and hazardous routes, with a previously separate guidance note being incorporated into the latest policy.

“As with the current policy, the council would continue to provide free transport to the nearest suitable Welsh language or Faith school, if this was the parental / carers preference."

Proposed amendments to the policy will be discussed by members of Denbighshire’s Communities Scrutiny Committee on February 2, with the intention of having the required consultation period after its finalisation. 

Special events to support businesses planned

* Anna Taylor of Chilly Cow.

A month-long series of events to support businesses will be held this March.

Denbighshire County Council’s annual March for Business, a series of networking, advice and workshop sessions, returns this year with its biggest ever schedule.

Firms will be able to take advantage of a host of free events covering a wide-range of topics including retail skills, starting a new business, digital skills and how to create a healthier and happier working environment.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “We designed this programme of seminars and workshops to meet the needs of businesses in the county.

“March for Business offers firms the chance to network and get expert advice around issues that benefit them.

“The focus was devised following feedback from our annual Business Survey and shows the Council is listening to businesses and offering them support to suit their needs.”

March for Business is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy through its Economic and Community Ambition Strategy, which includes a number of high priority projects to help businesses succeed.

Events will include a series of Ask the Expert networking breakfasts and lunches followed by one-to-ones around a range of topics including recruitment, finance and marketing.

A Taste for Local event will pair food and drink producers with buyers aiming to secure more contracts for local businesses.

One of the flagship events is the Denbighshire for Growth Advanced Materials & Manufacturing conference with speakers from academia, industry and government presenting key insights on opportunities in Denbighshire.

A Business Boost Camp to provide ideas and inspiration for developing a healthier and happier working environment and helping business flourish will be held along with a Digital Day featuring a mixture of a digital masterclass workshops and a cybercrime session.

Anna Taylor, aged 36, of Chilly Cow, a Ruthin-based producer of award-winning artisan ice cream, said: “Attending March for Business last year was really beneficial for our business. As well as having the chance to take advantage of some great training, advice and networking sessions, we met new clients.

“We met with lots of different businesses, including a new business which resulted in long-term orders. I would encourage all Denbighshire businesses to sign up for events at this year’s March for Business.”

A Business Wales workshop is being held for those looking to start a new business while a session to help businesses use Welsh to increase their appeal to the market of Welsh speakers, learners and tourists will also be held.

For more information or to book an event visit here